Apparatus for drying threadlike articles



July 8, 1941. L. s. FRYER 2,248,406

APPARATUS FOR DRYING THREADLIKE ARTICLES Filed Aug. 31, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zhwentor Laws 5. FRYER Fur-.1.

attorney July 8, 1941. L, s, FRYER 2,248,406

APPARATUS FOR DRYING THREADLIKE ARTiCLES lnoentor v Louls S.FRYER dtlorneg Patented July 8, 1941 APPARATUS FOR DRYING THREADLIKE ARTICLES Louis S. Fryer, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Delaware Application August 31, 1938, Serial No. 227,753

6 Claims.

The present invention pertains to means for drying thread-like articles in a series of loosely suspended loops permitting unrestrained shrinkage to take place.

While the apparatus of the invention may be employed to advantage in the drying of thread-' like articles generally, all of which are embraced within the intended scope of the instant application, the invention is particularly useful in connection with the drying of thread-like articles of synthetic origin, such, for example, as multiple filament thread produced according to the viscose, cuprammonium, cellulose acetate or casein process. For the sake of simplicity, the description which follows will be confined to the processing of multiple filament viscose artificial silk thread. The term thread will, however, be used in the claims to cover not only any multiple filament thread of the kind customarily employed in knitting and weaving operations but threadlike articles generally, regardless of whether they are of natural or synthetic origin.

It is desirable that multiple filament viscose artificial silk thread have uniform physical and physico-chemical characteristics, particularly a uniformresidual capacity to shrink of low order. Uniformity of these characteristics is of great importance in thread'employed in weaving for the reason that in the course of the process of their manufacture woven fabrics are washed, dyed and thereafter dried on tentering frames. If the thread from which the fabric is woven possesses a non-uniform residual capacity to shrink, or, if uniform, a comparatively high residual capacity to shrink, tearing of the cloth in the tentering frames may easily result. Other difiiculties, particularly in dyeing, tend to develop if the physical and physico-chemical properties of the thread are not uniform.

The term "residual capacity to shrink" has reference to the amount, in proportion to its original length, by which a dry thread will shrink upon being rewet and redried under conditions permitting it to shrink without restraint.

Thread dried in the manner characteristic of the usual discontinuous processes, such, for exam- Dle, as the conventional spool-spinning system, possesses a very high residual capacity to shrink, in addition to which it possesses considerable nonuniformity of its physical and physico-chemical characteristics generally: Numerous undesirable concomitants develop such, for example, as the tearing of cloth in the tentering frames in consequence of uneven shrinkage properties, as well as defects in dyeing of the kind known as dye barr "shinersj railroad tracks, etc. Such difficulties are partly or wholly traceable to the fact that the thread is not permitted to shrink freely when dried on the spool, on which varying degrees of tension are exerted upon the thread in consequence of the fact that certain layers are prevented from shrinking either by the rigid spool or by the undried center portion of the thread package.

' With a view to overcoming dimculties of the kind referred to above, many proposals looking to the substitution of collapsible winding spools for the conventional spin spools have been made, but

few have been found to be commercially practicable. Other suggestions have been directed to the use of padded spools as a possible solution to the problem. None of these proposals has succeeded in wholly overcoming the troubles experienced in the drying operation. None, furthermore, is adaptable to the continuous method of producing thread, which presents even more troublesome problems than those experienced in discontinuous processes. At the present time, the practice in continuous installations is to dry on tapered reels.

In contrast to the above-described practices, the novelmethod and apparatus of the instant application overcome virtually all of the diflicul ties heretofore experienced. Generally speaking,

the. invention contemplates the formation in a continuous length of thread of a series of slack loops which are subjected to the action of the drying medium, dried to the desired extent, and collected in any desired form of package. As is readily apparent, this procedure, with slight modifications in the apparatus which in no way affect the scope or spirit of the invention, lends itself with equal adaptability to both continuous and discontinuous processes.

The apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings as illustrative of the invention is especially advantageous in that it will continuously accept thread directed to it, dry the thread which meanwhile is in a condition in which it is free from all tensional stress-and deliver it to a suitable collecting device. The complete absence oftensional stress upon the thread during the drying operation permits the thread to shrink freely, eliminating the stretching action which gives rise to the undesirable effects referred to above in connection with the ordinary methods of drying thread produced by the conventional discontinuous processes. The invention gives rise to a thread of uniform physical and physico-chemica] properties characterized by an extremely low residual capacity to shrink.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the lower portion of one form of a continuous threadpmcessing machine in which the thread-drying apparatus of the invention is incorporated. Figure 2 is a sectionalelevation along the line 2 2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the drying apparatus of the inven tion from line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a plan of the thread-drying apparatus of Figure 1.

that the free end ofeach reel is directly above' the supported end of the next succeeding reel in the series. In addition, the free ends of the reels are tilted slightly above the supported end thereof. Liquid supplied from distributors H travels in countercurrent flow from the unsupported toward the supported end of each reel.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the threaddrying apparatus with parts broken away'for clearness.

Figure -6 is aplanwith partsomitted.

The continuous -thread-processing machine of which, as previously explained, only a portion is shown in Figures F1 and 12 is generally :of the type shown and described in copending application No. 1,114 :ior fManufacture of artificial -silk flled February '18,, 1935, :by Walter F. Knebusch and Alden 1H. IBurlr'holder (Patent 2,225,,-

652). its described in :said prior application, the

:ferred to may conveniently take the form of thread-advancing reels :of the kind shown, described and claimed in application :Serial No. 652,089, filed January 16, 1933, by Walter F. Knebusch (Patent 2,210,914), from which they dificr principally in that they are of cantilever form.

In the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the thread 6 passes downward to each of the reels 1, 8 and 9, the

' latter being the last threeof the several reels present in a complete thread-processing apparatus. The treatments performed on the various reels of the sequence, which may be as many as ten in number, may include any of the appropriate steps, depending upon the process used; for example, in the viscose process, the steps of desulphurizing, bleaching, sizing, washing and finishing. Processing liquid may be applied to the reels by the distributors H supplied by conduits l2 and may be removed by the troughs I3.

disposed therebelow,

It will be noted that no processing liquid is ap-- plied to the thread while stored on reel 9, which is'utilized aGa drip reel to permit excess processing liquid carried by the thread from the previous stages to drip ofi, thus reducing the amount of exterior moisture clinging to the thread. From the reel 9, thethread 6 passes to the threaddrying apparatus l4, being removed therefrom by some suitable means such as a withdrawing reel I5. From the withdrawing reel 15 the thread may be directed to any suitable type of collecting device such as the conventional cap twister 16.

The processing reels I, 8 and 9, as .will be seen from Figure 2, are secured by brackets I! to the diagonal I8 forming part'of the frame of the machine. ported by a longitudinally extending frame member I9. The reels are arranged, as previously ex-' plained, in vertically stepped relation with their free ends extending toward a common front so Several of these members l8 are sup- The reels 1, 8 and Bare driven through gearing 2! by the vertically extending shaft 22 supported from diagonal 18 by the bearing brackets 23. The vertical shaits'22 foreach series of processing reels are actuated through gearing 24 by the shaft 25 which extends lengthwise of the thread processing machine and is rotated by a power source (not shown). Any other suitable arrangement f or mounting or driving the units may readily be substituted for that herein described and illustrated. A similar series of reels and their associated driving mechanism may advantageously he provided on the opposite face of the machine to provide a maximum number of thread-producing units in a minimum floor space.

From thelast oi the reels 1, II, and 9, the thread =5 is advanced :as previously explained to the thread-fining apparatus H, to which it is lied by the air injector device 25. which comprises a short tube 21 through which an :air jet is directed from the air supply line 12! and controll ed hy the cock 29. The air injector device 25 serves to draw the thread 6 oil the iree end :of the reel and insure a positive feed for the drying apparahas all. Any other suitable type of threading device which will accomplish the same or similar results without introducing tension into or damaging the thread may substituted for the air injector device 25.

The drying apparatus 14 comprises an enclosing jacket 31 which is preferably cylindrical in shape and which entirely encloses the vertically extending rotatable shaft 32 to which are secured a plurality of vanes 33 which extend radially from said shaft 32. These vanes 33 may take the form of frames with foraminous coverings or they may be made in the form of solid plates, preferably of some non-corrosive material such as stainless steel, aluminum, Bakelite, hard rubber or metal coated with a non-corrosive material. Shaft 32 extending through the base 38 of the jacket 3| is supported in the bearing 34- and' rotated through the gearing 36 by the shaft 31 extending longitudinally of the machine and operating 'threadfi to be supplied to the vanes 33,. Through the opening 4| the thread 6 is also withdrawn from the vanes 33 and passed to the withdrawing reel l5 as will shortly be explained in detail. The plurality of drying devices I 4, one being provided for each processing series, is secured to the longitudinal channel 42 which extends the entire length of the machine supported by the brackets 43 from the machine frame. Withdrawing reel I5 is mounted upon a longitudinally extending plate 44 by means of the reel frame member 45 and I5 is driven from a power source (not shown) by the longitudinally extending shaft 46 through the gearing 41.

Heated air is directedto the manifold 48 by the inlet pipe 45 supplied by the longitudinally extending duct 5| which serves aplurality of dry- The air in manifold 48 passes through the ports 50 in thread-drying apparatus cover portion 39 of jacket 3|, Where it strikes the rotating vanes 33 between which the thread 6 to be dried is-suspended in loops 6a as indicated in Figures 3 and 5. After passing downward between the several vanes 33, the air is withdrawn from the jacket 3| by the outlet pipe 53 located at the lower portion of said jacket and preferably at the opposite side of the jacket 3| with respect 'to the shaft 32 to insure adequate circulation of the air. Outlet pipe 53, like inlet pipe 49, connects with a duct 54 which is carried on brackets 55 and extends lengthwise of the machine. A slight negative pressure or suction may be placed upon the duct 54 to wit'fldraw the air from the jacket 31 and eliminate the possibility of turbulence.

As previously explained, the thread 6 is fed to the rotating vanes 33 by the air injector 26. The I4 may readily be threaded up by withdrawing a'short length of thread from the drip reel 9, holding a portion of the end of said thread across the mouth of the tube 21 of the injector 26 directly below the air line 28, and turning on the supply of air by adjusting the cock 29. The injector will continuously withdraw the thread 6 from the drip reel 9 and as the vanes 33 rotate beneath the discharge end of the injector tube 21 the threadwill be fed through the opening 4| in the cover 39 of the jacket 3| and caused to hang over the upper edges of said vanes forming loops 6a (Figure The thread 6 is slowly carried in this manner through the portion of the thread-drying apparatus to which the heated air is supplied.

In the threading-up operation, the leading end of the thread, after being carried through the thread-drying apparatus, again reaches the opening 4| from which it is withdrawn by the operator tending the machine.- It is then passed over the roller guide 55 and threaded upon the withdrawing device, which may take the form of a small reel, I5 of the same general type and operating in the same manner as the other reels of the processing machine. The leading end of the thread is advanced along the reel l5 and when discharged from the free end thereof may be passed through the guide 51 to any suitable type of collecting device, such as the conventional cap twister I6.

When the threading-up operation has been completed, thread 6 will be continuously processed upon the machine, passed through the threaddrying apparatus, and collected in the desired kind of package. It is unnecessary thereafter for the operator to be in attendance except to check the operation and to re-thread the apparatus in the event that breakage of the thread occurs. Occasionally, the apparatus may have to be shut down for periodical cleaning, oiling and minor repairs or replacements, after which it is again necessary to thread up the apparatus.

The drying of the thread may be accomplished in a number of other ways than by the introduction of heated air to the enclosing jacket 3| of the drying apparatus l4. By way of illustration, it is possible to employ a hollow central shaft with communicating hollow vane elements and to circulate therein a heated fluid so-that the thread may be dried by the heat radiated from said vane elements. The vane elements may also be made tapered or wedge-shaped in form, widening from the top thread-supporting edge toward the bottom and either heated by the circulation of a fluid heating medium in contact with the under side of said vane element or by contact of enclosure;

said under surface of said vane elements with a flame.

Numerous other modifications may be made in the illustrated apparatus without in any way departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, for withdrawing reel I5 may be substituted any suitable type of device such as a godet wheel or the like which will serve to withdraw the thread from the thread-drying apparatus. Likewise, for the roller guide 56 any other suitable type of guide may readily be used. Many similar changes of a character such as to suggest themselves to one familiar with the art may also be made. I

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. Apparatus for drying thread comprising an upright generally cylindrical enclosure; a member mounted in said enclosure for rotation about an upright axis and comprising a plurality of,

spaced radially extending partitions, whereby a substantially enclosed space is defined by each pair of adjacent partitions and said enclosure; means for rotating said member in said enclosure; means for depositing thread on the partitions of said member as it rotates in such manner that the thread hangs suspended in loops in said spaces between adjacent partitions; and means for circulating a drying medium through said enclosure.

,2. Apparatus for continuously drying thread comprising an upright generally cylindrical enclosure; a member mounted in said enclosure for rotation about an upright axis and comprising a plurality of spaced radially extending partitions, whereby a substantially enclosed space is defined by each pairof adjacent partitions and said enclosure; means for rotating said member in said means for continuously depositing thread on the partitions of said member as it rotates in such manner that the thread hangs suspended in loops in said spaces between adjacent partitions; means for drying the thread while it so hangs between the partitions of said rotating member; and means for continuously withdrawing the dried'thread from said partitions.

3. Apparatus for continuously drying thread comprising an upright generally cylindrical enclosure; a member mounted in said enclosure for rotation about an upright axis and comprising a plurality of spaced radially extending partitions,

whereby a substantially enclosed space is defined 4. Apparatus for drying thread comprising an upright generally cylindrical enclosure; a member mounted in said enclosure for rotation about an upright axis and comprising a plurality of spaced radially extending partitions, whereby a substantially enclosed space is defined by each pair of adjacent partitions and said enclosure; means for rotating said member in said enclosure; pneumatic means for continuously depositing thread on the partitions of said member as it rotates in such manner that the thread hangs suspended in loops in said. spaces between adjacent partitions; means for drying the thread while it so hangs between the partitions of said rotating member; and means for continuously withdrawing the thread from said partitions.

5. Apparatus for drying wet thread comprising an enclosure having an upright wall; a plurality of upright partitions extending transversely of said wall, disposed in said enclosure, said partitions forming spaces within said enclosure;

, means for supporting and moving said partitions along said wall; means for depositing thewet thread in said spaces in a series of loops at least one of which is disposed between each pair 01' adjacent partitions; means for drying the thread while suspended in said loops; and means for withdrawing the dried thread from said partitions.

6.. Apparatus for drying wet thn ad comprising an enclosure having an upright wall; a plurality of upright partitions extending transversely of V said wall, disposed in said enclosure, said partitions forming 'spaces within said enclosure; 

